Apply for the Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme

The Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme protects the reputation and authenticity of spirit drinks with a geographical indication in the UK.

You’ll need to apply to the Spirit Drinks Verification Scheme if you:

If your brands are blended or bottled and labelled for you by someone else

In this case, the blender or bottler of your brands must apply for verification.

Bottlers will also need to submit brand information for each premises where they bottle or label a particular brand.

Blender-only operators will not need to submit brand information.

As a producer or bulk importer, you must apply for verification before you start production or importation.

It’s illegal to produce or market a protected spirit drink that has not been verified by HMRC. If you do, you or your customers may become liable to enforcement action.

You should get all of your information together before you start. You will fill this form in online and you cannot save your progress.

If you’re producing protected spirit drinks other than Scotch Whisky

When completing the production processes section of the form:

Type in the protected spirit drink name of your product (for example, ‘Single Malt Welsh Whisky’).

Type in the production processes you’re carrying out (for example, ‘Distillation’, or ‘Maturation’).

If you do not properly complete your application this may delay your ability to legally produce and market protected spirit drinks.

If you need help completing or submitting your application, contact [email protected].